Top5 Amazing Facts About Washington That Will Shock You

In this article we will explore the amazing facts about Washington. Washington, the capital of the United States, was founded on July 16, 1790, and has a population of 5.3 million residents. It has a rich history and some intriguing secrets, which are highlighted in popular films like the “National Treasure” series. While those movies are fictional, they do explore themes that reflect hidden aspects of the city. So let’s begin.

5) World’s Largest Library

One of the amazing facts about Washington is that the Library of Congress in Washington is the largest library in the world, with over 170 million items in its collection. It adds about 10,000 new items every working day, including books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, and maps. An interesting item in the collection is a top-secret FBI interrogation manual, which is available to anyone with a library card due to copyright laws. In 1851, a fire damaged half of the library, prompting the architect of the Capitol to design a fireproof iron cast room, which is still in use today.

4) Voting Right

One of the amazing facts about Washington is that before 1961, residents of Washington could not vote in presidential elections. The 23rd amendment, ratified in 1961, allowed them to vote. When Washington ceased to be part of any state and became its own district, residents also lost all representation in Congress.

3) Washington Monument

One of the amazing facts about Washington is that there are things buried under the Washington Monument, and historians confirm there is something beneath it. Various conspiracy theories and American legends include many stories about what could be hidden down there. Some people believe there is a secret basement sealed off with workers still inside, while others mention connections to the Illuminati and Freemasons.

There are also claims about possible alien evidence from the 1700s, and one person linked it to HAARP, a government project known for conspiracy theories, even though it started many years after the monument’s construction.

The discussion revolves around what might actually be buried there versus what people think is buried. Some speculated items include a copy of the Constitution, a map of Washington, DC, a book of poems, a Bible, and a daguerreotype of George Washington and his mother. A daguerreotype is an old photographic method using a copper plate. Ultimately, what is truly under the monument remains uncertain, and there are no plans to excavate it soon.

2) Oldest Fish Market

One of the amazing facts about Washington is that people often think of famous fish markets like Pike Place in Seattle or Fulton in New York, but many are unaware that Washington has its own municipal fish market, which has been in operation for over 200 years. This market is the place to buy fish, crabs, oysters, and more. It is situated on the wharf of the Potomac River, just beyond the National Mall and east of the Jefferson Memorial.

1) US Capital

One of the amazing facts about Washington is that before Washington, DC became the US capital, there were eight other capitals. The first was Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. The second capital was Baltimore, which the Continental Congress used as a refuge when British troops approached Philadelphia in late 1776. The Congress briefly moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for one day, then relocated to York, Pennsylvania, 25 miles away.

The capital later moved to Princeton, New Jersey, followed by Annapolis, Maryland, and then back to New Jersey in Trenton. Finally, the capital was established in New York City, where George Washington was sworn in as the first President on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall.

In 1790, the capital moved to Washington, DC, which was formed from land taken from Virginia and Maryland. This decision was part of a compromise between Alexander Hamilton, representing northern states, and Thomas Jefferson, representing southern states. The new location was chosen to ensure that southern states felt included and to balance power between the north and south.